To you, and to the final rounds left in our game with the angels—cheers.
Lilith's face lights up at the response. The glasses ring out with a crisp chime, and her spirits lift with the sound.
What a pity, Commandant.
After the siege, everyone returns to the Mysterious Tavern to regroup. Lilith suddenly raises her glass, suggesting a victory celebration with a small toast.
How cheerful of you. Only you would think to break out the drinks at a time like this, Mammon.
Your intel's a bit behind, Death. I've already lost the Key of Mammon. The one sitting here now is just... Lilith, someone with a score to settle with the Sanctuary.
Your power's still there. There's no hiding that reek of greed you have with you.
Hmph... Speaking of which, I heard you got into a fight with your own demons?
...I had to deal with some demons who couldn't keep their bloodlust in check. If I'd let those pieces of trash run wild attacking humans, this whole alliance would've fallen apart.
The "alliance" refers to the demons who, after her previous journey to Hell, agreed to follow her to the human world and fight against the Sanctuary.
We may be fighting together, but don't forget that Hell is still evil and bloodthirsty in nature, Commandant.
This so-called alliance only exists because we're facing powerful enemies like the angels.
One's enemy of their enemy is one's friend—but when that enemy vanishes, what do friends become? Her unspoken words sting your heart like poisonous vines.
So long as they're useful, that's all that matters. War's a massive beast that only moves when you throw every resource you've got at it.
The sound of Watanabe pushing through the door breaks the silence, and he drops a stack of documents onto the center of the round table.
Battle plans. Everyone, gather around.
...
Wanshi remains silent from the start, staring vacantly at the fire before him.
The dancing firelight gilds his silver hair with golden edges, forming an invisible barrier that separates him from the tension that grips the room.
...
...!
Sorry. Just thinking about some things.
...Don't tell me you've been "seeing" too much through that chandelier again. How many people have you "pardoned" with that power of yours so far? Seven hundred?
Seven hundred seventy-seven, but I'm fine... The memories from when people are still alive don't create the kind of illusions that drag them down like the Acheron River does.
Think I'm doing just fine, [player name].
Let's get back to business, everyone.
After a brief silence, Watanabe speaks again.
First of all, let me bring all of us up to speed on what's going on. After settling our respective issues, we've gained new allies and weaponry. With these, thirteen states now fly Gray Raven's banner.
I know about the allies...
Lilith's attention is suddenly drawn to the metallic object in the corner, her voice rising with excitement.
But what is that weapon?
The ornately carved cannon mounted on mobile wheels catches Lilith's attention.
The Halo Cannon. A single shot is all it takes to wipe out the Cardinal Deity—a true weapon of deicide.
So that's what took down the Cardinal Deity, huh...
Gray Raven told me this thing only has one shot left, no?
Right, so how we use this final shot will be key to winning this war and reclaiming the night.
...Any thoughts?
We need to use it to destroy the Archangel and put an end to this eternal daylight once and for all.
I have a question—how can you be sure that killing the Archangel will end the eternal daylight?
Can't say for certain, but right now the Archangel is the only tangible, high-ranking enemy we've got.
Ever since the Cataclysm began, this Archangel has been showing up everywhere, faithfully carrying out what he calls the will of the Supreme Heaven. Even if taking him down doesn't solve our problem, he'll always stand between us and the Sanctuary.
So what you're saying is, if we take out the Archangel and the eternal daylight still hasn't ended, we'd have to storm into the Sanctuary and wipe out every other angel in there?
If that's what it takes... This land has suffered long enough. Whatever it takes, I'll find a way to end it.
Next question, then—where is this Archangel now?
Seeing that an angel of that caliber wouldn't be roaming around on the ground... I'd say he's holed up in the Sanctuary.
Only problem is that the Sanctuary vanished after the Omega Egg was stolen. How exactly do you plan to reach a place we can't even locate?
This is where [player name] steps in.
Watanabe first glances at Wanshi, then turns back to face this way.
...Yeah, it's hazy, but I should be able to get us close to the Sanctuary.
Oh... that story you told us before about the calamity and the natives.
Alright, let's run through the plan one more time.
Step one: Tomorrow at dawn, I'll issue orders to all human forces in the Scorched Borderland. They'll launch feint attacks on angels across multiple locations to draw the Sanctuary's attention.
Step two: We mount the cannon on the train and launch a decapitation strike on the Sanctuary.
And last but not least, we eliminate the Archangel and all the other angels.
You never know how things will turn out, but either way, this could very well be our last mission together. How about we make it a little ceremonial?
Lilith pours half a glass of amber liquor for everyone, then raises her own glass first. Her long hair spills over her shoulders, her smile carrying a familiar hint of nonchalance.
Here's to—hmm... trying not to die too horribly?
Did someone call me?
Lucky 38 Casino uses reverse psychology for their toasts. You can think of it as a little ritual before you walk up to the table.
Let me give you a proper toast: may we tear that Archangel limb from limb.
And may we successfully reclaim the night.
...May we all stay safe, and may this war end soon.
The toast and alcohol magically soften the tension in the room.
Cheers.
In the crisp chime of clinking glasses, the amber liquor catches the light in shimmering fragments.
For a precious half-minute of calm, everyone finds their own moment of peace.
And then...
Gray Raven! Above—above us!
A panicked bird cry pierces the air. At the same moment, faint tremors ripple through the ground, as if some massive beast were grinding its way up from the depths below.
Light, obey, Supreme Heaven.
Just as they try to make sense of what's happening, a chant that seems to have come out of nowhere strikes your very soul.
The Archangel?!
...Keep Gray Raven safe!
Rebels.
You have nowhere to run!
Before Watanabe's shout even fades, a piercing shriek tears through the sky and hammers against your eardrums.
A split second later, Wanshi raises his lantern as a shield, and pure white light instantly engulfs the world around you...
HISSS—BOOM!!!
Pathetic little worms. Judgment has come.
The Archangel's voice cuts through like shattering ice, crushing everyone down from deep within the white light.
